It's a great shame that the lady hasn't had the decency to come back with further comments after explaining her initial concerns. She can't expect progress if she won't contribute to the debate.
What debate? All* I see is a succession of whiny men shouting "Sexist!" as a woman describes the actions she takes to avoid being harassed, probably for the severalth time that day. I can't blame her for not coming back to the thread to be shouted down again.
I was nearly killed by a careless driver three and a half years ago. I can't guarantee whenever I ride my bicycle that it won't happen again with another careless driver, with terminal consequences next time. That doesn't mean to say I am going to live my life in fear and never cycle on a road again, because firstly, serious cycling accidents are very unlikely for any individual, and secondly, curtailing my freedom by living in fear of a rare event is no way to live.
Okay, now imagine a situation in which you are nearly killed by a careless driver several times a day, and imagine how that might make you feel about cycling.
Did this chap do / say anything else that made you feel you had to call your friends or did he literally just follow down the train?
"Just" follow you down the train. FFS.
I think you’ll find she is making a general sweeping accusation that all men are weirdo sexual predators if they have the temerity to sit next to her.
No she isn't, she's saying that she can't make a reasonable assumption that a man who sits next to her *isn't* a weirdo sexual predator. Based on conversations I've had with my friends who are women, that sounds sensible.
If this is a true story, the article makes no mention of why the woman is so anxious. Is she afraid of people in general, does she suffer from generalized anxiety or did she feel threatened at that point in time? Why did she not sit in an airline seat (unless she had a reservation)? Did she really expect to have the bay to herself - really!?
If I was a woman on my own and didn't want company, I would have a book or earphones to hand and keep to myself
It isn't a true story - The Daily Mash is a parody news website, like an English version of The Onion. Interesting that you mention having a book or earphones to avoid having company - you'd think this would be a good signal that the woman wants to be left alone, but I've heard a lot of women say that there are a lot of men who won't take the hint, and will instead use this as an opening gambit for the conversation that they feel entitled to have - "What are you reading?", "What are you listening to?" etc.
*Okay, not all, there are a couple of people who tried to express a reasonable view without bull**** comparisons to racism.